General Assembly Sets Modalities for 2028 UN Water Conference, Adopts Text on Assistive Technologies

General Assembly Sets Modalities for 2028 UN Water Conference, Adopts Text on Assistive Technologies

The General Assembly took stock of the activities of the United Nations Youth Office today, including the implementation of its 2025-2028 strategic plan, with delegates using the opportunity to discuss youth participation in multilateral processes, their economic inclusion and their access to education and skills.

It then adopted two resolutions, including a text on the modalities for the 2028 United Nations Water Conference, which was the subject of extensive discussion among delegations.

Reservations about 'Predetermined' Outcome Document

By consensus, and as orally amended, the General Assembly adopted a text (document A/80/L.113) introduced by Tajikistan's representative, deciding that the Conference devoted to the final in-depth review of the International Decade for Action on the theme "Water and Sustainable Development" (2018-2028), will be held in Dushanbe from 4 to 6 May 2028.

Its objective is to promote the implementation of water-related measures and to lead to the adoption of the "Dushanbe Water Framework", which will be negotiated by Member States and finalized before April 2028.

Speaking after action, India's delegate dissociated from operational paragraph 5, which calls on the Conference to adopt by consensus a non-binding outcome document negotiated at the intergovernmental level. "The success of this Conference will not be measured by the length of the outcome document or the number of processes created, but by the acceleration of results," she said, adding in reference to paragraph 16, Annex II, that India does "not see the utility" of bringing the final list of NGOs to the Assembly for approval, especially as the Assembly's President's office undertakes due diligence in assessing the suitability of various NGOs for participation.

Along the same lines, Mexico's delegate voiced regret that the nature of the outcome had been determined before the intergovernmental process had taken place. "We need to allow the 2026 Conference [to be held in the United Arab Emirates in December] to produce its own outcome and, on that basis, build the process that will lead us to 2028," he recommended, with Germany's representative expressing support.

Ireland's representative, speaking for the European Union, likewise stressed that it is essential for the 2028 Conference to build on the outcomes of the 2026 Conference, expressing regret that the text referred only to the Dushanbe Water Framework.

The United Kingdom's representative also voiced concern that predetermining the title and framework of the 2028 Conference could prejudge the outcome of the 2026 Conference, as well as the post-2030 agenda.

Ethiopia's representative, for his part, pointed to an inconsistency, noting that paragraph 5 recommends that the outcome document be adopted by consensus, while Annex III stipulates that substantive issues are to be decided by a two-thirds majority.

The arrangements for non-governmental organization (NGO) participation in the Dushanbe Conference raised concerns among several Member States. While supporting their participation, Türkiye's delegate considered that the procedure set out in paragraph 16 of Annex II did not provide sufficient information in this regard. The representative of Belarus dissociated himself from that paragraph, arguing it could encourage politicization. The Russian Federation's delegate did likewise, while expressing doubts about the objectivity of certain NGOs.

By contrast, France's representative welcomed the provision entrusting the Assembly with the final decision on stakeholder participation, viewing it as a guarantee of inclusion and an opportunity to prevent the exclusion, without recourse, of civil society organizations. He called for the effective participation of all relevant stakeholders in the Conference's proceedings.

Assistive Technologies

In other business, the Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution introduced by Pakistan's representative (document A/80/L.110), calling on Member States to ensure that their populations have access to assistive technologies, including through coordinated national strategies in the areas of health, education, employment and social protection.

Speaking for the European Union, Ireland's representative voiced regret over the removal of references to the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the weakening of language concerning universal health coverage.

Argentina's representative, meanwhile, maintained that each State is sovereign in its interpretation of certain elements of the text's preamble.

Youth

The General Assembly also considered the fourth report of the United Nations Youth Office (document A/80/800). Established in 2022, the Office has emerged as the UN entity of reference for making young people genuine partners in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.

Its work was widely praised by delegations, particularly its initiatives on mental health and the youth, peace and security agenda. Several delegations nevertheless stressed that these efforts should take national contexts into account and respect the central role of Member States.

Ireland's delegate called for the Office to be provided with sufficient resources, while the representatives of Mexico and El Salvador expressed hope that the first-ever UN Youth Assembly, scheduled for December, would produce concrete outcomes.

Guyana's representative, in her intervention, expressed support for greater youth representation at international conferences, particularly those dealing with disarmament.

"Young people are not merely beneficiaries of development policies; they are agents of change," the representative of Algeria stressed.

The Russian Federation speaker, meanwhile, voiced regret that the Youth Office's report had relegated to the background the development of socioeconomic opportunities for young people, which had been presented as a priority area of action. It also called for renewed momentum to be given to the international agenda in support of the traditional family and future generations.

"It is within a strong family that the values with which the new generation enters adulthood are forged, enabling them to take over and assume responsibility for the future of their country," he argued.